Pennsylvania Railroad Class J28

PRR Class J28
PRR No. 7453
Technical specifications
Serial number(s)	31247 and #37775.
Manufacturer(s)	American Locomotive Company's Schenectady Works
Build date	September 1905
Total produced	Two
Classification	J28
Wheel arrangement	2-6-2 "Prairie"
Dia. of Drivers	80"
Weight	377,500 lb (171,200 kg)
Rail gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Valve gear	7453: Stephenson 2761: Walschaerts
Cylinders	21 1/2" x 28"
Boiler type	Radial-Stay
Boiler diameter	75"
Boiler pressure	200 Lbs. PSI.
Firegrate area	54 sq ft (5.0 m2)
Fuel type	Coal
Fuel capacity	14 Tons of Coal 7,000 Gallons of Water.
Performance figures
Maximum speed	45 to 65 Mph Max.
Tractive effort	27,504 lbf
Factor of adhesion	6.07
Service information
Operator(s)	Pennsylvania Railroad
Running numbers	7453, 2761
Scrapped	7453 in December 1924, and 2761 in November 1921
Disposition details
Retired	1921-1924
Preserved	Neither were preserved.
Disposition	Both Retired and Scrapped

The Pennsylvania Railroad's class J28 comprised two experimental 2-6-2 "Prairie" type steam locomotives.

History

In 1905, the Pennsylvania Railroad needed a better steam locomotive than the class E 4-4-2 "Atlantic" type, which were increasingly becoming obsolescent in the face of heavier traffic and locomotive design development. Therefore, the railroad ordered six experimental locomotives, with two 2-6-2s from Alco-Schenectady being among the lot. With one each being allocated to the Fort Wayne and Pittsburgh divisions, they were tested extensively and failed in railroad service. However, they were still on the roster by 1924.

Specifications

The two J28s had 80 inch drivers and a 34.25 foot engine wheelbase. Engine #7453 had inboard piston valves and Stephenson valve gear, while #2761 had outside piston valves and Walschaerts valve gear. They each weighed 377,500 pounds with the tender. They had 27,504 pounds of tractive effort, had a 89 square feet (8.3 m²) of firebox space, also had a grate area of 54 square feet (5.0 m²), able to hold 7,000 gallons of water and 14 tons of coal. Despite these specifications and more, the J28 was not a powerful enough Pennsylvania Railroad locomotive and no more than the two made production.